The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 19

Freya's POV

My body ached with every step I took through the Shadow District's narrow streets. Dr. Mara's treatment had stabilized my internal injuries, but the pain remained—a constant reminder of last night's beating. The money I'd spent on medical care was worth it; without treatment, I might not have survived another day. Still, the financial hit stung almost as much as my bruised ribs.

I carefully navigated the uneven pavement, heading toward the self-service laundromat with my tiny apartment above it. Each movement sent ripples of pain through my abdomen. My wolf whined softly within me, sensing my weakness, urging me to find a safe place to heal properly.

One week to find a job, yet he immediately shut down the Moon Howl?

The contradiction in Thorne's actions puzzled me. My jaw tightened as I considered the cruelty of it. He had given me seven days to find legitimate employment, then promptly eliminated the only place willing to hire an exile like me.

"Is this what you wanted all along?" I muttered under my breath, teeth clenched as I pressed a hand against my tender side. "To drive me out completely?" I exhaled sharply, wincing at the pain it caused. "The so-called fair and impartial Alpha Judge, settling personal scores..."

My eyes stung as I recalled how desperately I had once pursued him. Five years of my life spent trying to catch the attention of a wolf who now seemed determined to erase me from existence. My shoulders slumped, the weight of this realization pressing down on me more than my physical injuries.

"I never really knew you at all, did I?" My voice cracked slightly, betraying the emotion I tried to suppress.

I'd spent years believing I understood Thorne Grey, that beneath his Alpha mask was someone worth loving. Now I wondered if I'd been chasing a fantasy all along.

My nostrils flared as I caught a familiar scent in the air—oak and earth. I looked up, eyes widening slightly as I saw a large oak tree standing at the corner of the street, its branches reaching toward the afternoon sky. My breath caught in my throat as memories flooded back, unbidden and unwelcome.

---

I was ten years old, attending a summer gathering at Moonlight Woods. The Riley family had been prominent then, our bloodline respected throughout Moon Bay. The adults were engaged in serious conversation about pack politics, and I had slipped away, bored and restless.

The massive oak tree at the edge of the Grey property had called to me, promising adventure. My young wolf, always eager for a challenge, urged me to climb higher and higher. It wasn't until I reached the upper branches that I realized my mistake—climbing up was far easier than climbing down.

Fear gripped me as I looked at the ground far below. My wolf, usually brave, cowered within me. I clung to the branch, too terrified to move, my small hands aching from holding on so tightly.

"Riley pup, do you need assistance?" A calm voice called from below.

I peered down to see a teenage boy standing at the base of the tree, hands in his pockets, head tilted back to look at me. Even then, Thorne Grey carried himself with the natural authority of an Alpha bloodline. His dark hair was shorter then, his face less severe, but those amber-flecked eyes were unmistakable.

"I'm not stuck," I called back stubbornly, even as my knuckles whitened from gripping the branch.

He raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in his expression. "Of course not. You're simply admiring the view for the last twenty minutes."

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, the heat spreading across my face. "The branch seemed closer from the ground."

To my surprise, Thorne didn't mock me further. Instead, he began climbing the tree with easy, fluid movements, making his way toward me. "Stay still," he instructed. "I'll help you down."

As he reached the branch just below mine, he extended his hand. "Take my hand, Riley pup."

I hesitated, my pride battling with practical need. Before I could decide, my foot slipped, and I felt myself falling. A scream tore from my throat—but instead of hitting the ground, I landed in strong arms. Thorne had somehow anticipated my fall and positioned himself to catch me.

For a moment, we stared at each other in mutual surprise. Then his serious expression cracked into a slight smile. "Next time, perhaps climb trees closer to the ground."

What struck me most in that moment wasn't his strength or quick reflexes—it was his eyes. They held no contempt, no judgment for the silly pup who'd gotten herself stuck in a tree. Only kindness.

---

I blinked hard, forcing the memory away as I continued down the street. My hand unconsciously touched the scar on my neck where the moon-silver collar had been—the collar Thorne had ordered for me. The skin there felt tight, unnatural, a permanent reminder of what he'd done to me.

"Where did that boy go?" I whispered, my voice barely audible even to my own ears. "The one who caught me when I fell?"

My throat tightened as another memory surfaced, this one from when I was sixteen. The day I'd first seen Thorne as more than just the son of the Grey Alpha.

It was Moon Bay's annual Judiciary Observation Day, when young wolves could tour the Crescent Court. My father had insisted I attend, saying understanding pack law was essential for a Riley.

I'd been bored until we entered Courtroom Three, where a young assistant judge was hearing minor disputes. Thorne Grey, barely into his twenties, sat on the bench with a presence that commanded attention. His voice was measured and authoritative as he mediated a territory dispute between two Beta merchants.

When he stood to announce his judgment, something shifted in the atmosphere. His shoulders straightened, his voice deepened with purpose, and the room fell silent with respect. The wolf within me responded instinctively, a strange warmth spreading through my chest.

I'd never felt anything like it before—the pull toward an Alpha who embodied strength and justice. My wolf practically purred with approval, and I found myself leaning forward, captivated.

"That's when it happened," I murmured to myself, remembering the moment with painful clarity. "That's the day I decided I would be his mate."

What followed were years of what now seemed like embarrassing pursuit—sending him thoughtful gifts on pack holidays, volunteering for every community project he sponsored, even studying law books to understand his passion for justice. I'd been so determined, so certain we were meant to be together.

---

A sharp pain in my side brought me back to the present, making me gasp and clutch at my ribs. I stood still for a moment, waiting for the wave of pain to subside, my breathing shallow and quick. When I could move again, I straightened slowly, wincing as my muscles protested.

"What a fool I was," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. My eyes burned with unshed tears that I refused to let fall.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. I pulled it out, my hands unsteady as I read the message from Terra:

[DON'T GO BACK TO YOUR APARTMENT! Wolf King's looking for trouble. He's got men waiting there. Moon Howl shutdown—he thinks you caused it. Stay away.]

My heart pounded against my ribcage, each beat sending fresh pain through my injuries. I read the message again, my fingers gripping the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. Wolf King blamed me for the bar being closed? I supposed it made sense from his perspective—I show up, then Alpha Thorne appears, and suddenly his establishment is shut down.

I immediately changed direction, moving away from my apartment building. My breathing quickened, panic beginning to set in. Now I had nowhere to go, no safe place to rest and heal. My wolf paced anxiously within me, adding to my distress.

Where can I go? The question repeated in my mind, growing more urgent with each step. Will Terra be in trouble for helping me?